Shining Rock Loop Private Hike
Day Hike Tours
1 Day 9.5MI / 14.8KM
Trip Highlights
Shining Rock Wilderness is a breathtaking area in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville that offers absolutely fantastic hiking, sightseeing and exploration. This full day hiking tour begins with meeting your guide at the trailhead. Our hike is a wonderful loop allowing for new scenery throughout the day. Our first views come early after only 1 mile as we reach the summit of Black Balsam Knob at 6,214’. We will soak up the phenomenal view of ridges and valleys that are iconic to the Appalachian Mountains. Our next summit is Tennent Mountain at 6056’, where more expansive views await us. Our hike then takes us in and out of Balsam Fir groves and along grassy meadows full of blueberry and blackberry bushes to the highlight of the day – the brilliant quartz-capped summit of Shining Rock Mountain at 6,040’. Here we’ll enjoy a lunch provided and prepared by your guide before we continue our loop, dropping us out of the mountains back to our trailhead.
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Appalachian Views
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Waterfalls
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Pristine Creeks
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Unique Geologic Features
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Amazing Natural & Cultural History
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Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Day Hike Tours -
Trip Length
1 Day -
Daily Hiking Distance
9.5 mi -
Group Size
1-7 Guests
Is This Trip Right For me?
The first half of this day hike will go over rocks and through rutted out trail but will then moves to a flat and maintained trail to Shining Rock overlook. To reach the summit, it will require a short scramble to the top. Returning back to the trailhead will be hiked along an old rails to trails type trail system.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Dates
What's Included
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Transportation for the duration of the tour (pickup and drop off in Asheville, NC)
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A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you'd like, and as is possible in a day
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Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
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Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
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Use of trekking poles
What's Not Included
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Clothing and personal items -
Water (2 liters capacity)
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
If you’re staying in Asheville, NC we will pick you up at your hotel in Asheville. If you’re staying elsewhere and/or would prefer to meet us at the trailhead that is also an option. Your guide will be in contact approximately 7 days prior to your hike to coordinate the exact time and location of your rendezvous. If you’re staying in Asheville, this is a 3/4 day tour – the pickup time will be between 6 and 8 AM, and ending times can vary but are often between 4-6 PM.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Chance H
1 year agoThis was a great experience.
This was our third hike with Wildland Trekking and we loved the experience. The guides are always terrific and hikes are wonderful.
Katrina L
2 years agoSuperb
Amazing hike, super guide and fantastic lunch on top of shining rock!!
Kathy R.
4 years agoUp front stumbles but amazing hike!
Wildland never disappoints. After some frustration with the remote sales tram, we were able to connect with our guide, Kyle Felts who quickly course corrected us to a hike more suited to our location and skill levels. He made the day amazing for us. Definitely recommend!
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